Theodore Makes Renault BARC Return At Oulton

James Theodore has secured a late deal allowing him to make his return to the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship this weekend at Oulton Park in Cheshire. The Shropshire-based driver has agreed a deal to run with Mtech Lite in Rounds Five and Six of the championship.

The 19-year-old has struggled to find budget to continue his single-seater career, after finishing third overall in the series last year. However the Oxford Brookes University student has acquired enough funding to allow him to race this weekend, as well as at the season finale at Silverstone, where the series supports the British Touring Car Championship.

Theodore made his car racing debut in Formula Renault BARC during its 2008 finale, before going onto win that year's Winter Series with three wins in four races for Hillspeed, sticking with the team for full campaigns in 2009 and 2010. Last season saw him take three wins, three other podiums and five pole positions on his way to third in the standings.

Theodore, who enjoyed a run on MW Arden's GP3 Series driver development simulator as part of his preparations for Oulton, commented: “It's brilliant to be back. We've been working really hard to try and get money from here and there and we've now managed to secure enough contributions to do this weekend at Oulton and then the final rounds at Silverstone which will be prime coverage with the BTCC.

“We're not home and dry yet with the funds for the other two events at Croft and Thruxton but, to be honest, it's a relief to be back out at all so I'm really looking forward to this weekend. MTech has done a very good deal for us – I can't wait to get in the car now and see what we can do.”

The last minute deal sees Theodore, who will run in support of Cancer Research UK at Oulton, join championship leader James Thorp at Mtech Lite, the first time in 2011 the Derbyshire-based outfit has run two cars.

Team Principal Dave Moore added: “We're obviously really happy to have James on-board, he's had budget issues but has managed to get a few people behind him now which is great. His experience will definitely help push us all on. James Thorp has been fantastic so far this season but we're hoping he and James Theodore will push each other on more and help put MTech on the map.”